…..…Inaugurate National Cosmetics Safety Management Technical Working Group.
The Federal Government, in collaboration with development partners, has taken a decisive step to protect Nigerians from the growing public health risks posed by unsafe cosmetic products with the inauguration of the National Cosmetics Safety Management Technical Working Group (NCSM-TWG).
The Technical Working Group was inaugurated on Tuesday in Abuja, marking what officials described as a transition from policy formulation to concrete action in regulating cosmetic safety nationwide.
Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom mni; Dr. Dogara Okara, Senior Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary; said the initiative signals the current Federal Government’s resolve to confront cosmetic-related health hazards that have long been underestimated.
The Permanent Secretary warned that unsafe cosmetic products have become one of the most serious yet overlooked public health threats of the 21st century, with consequences ranging from skin disorders and discoloration to hormonal disruption, kidney failure and cancer.
“Cosmetic products containing toxic substances such as formaldehyde and heavy metals can damage vital organs, including the kidneys, eyes and heart,” he said. “These dangers informed the Federal Ministry of Health’s decision to put in place a clear national policy to safeguard the health of Nigerians.”
She explained that the National Policy on Cosmetics Safety and Health, approved and launched during the 66th National Council on Health meeting in Calabar in November 2025, provided the legal and policy framework for the establishment of the Technical Working Group.
According to her, the NCSM-TWG is mandated to provide strategic and technical guidance for policy implementation, coordinate cosmetic safety initiatives across sectors, translate directives from the National Multi-Sectoral Ministerial Advisory Committee on Cosmetics into action, and support the review and enforcement of safety standards.
“The calibre of professionals assembled here, from government, regulatory agencies, academia, development partners and civil society shows that this assignment was carefully thought out. You are expected to deploy your expertise to ensure that cosmetics used in Nigeria are safe,” the Permanent Secretary emphasized; adding that the committee will serve a five-year term.
Speaking earlier, the Director/ Head, Food & Drug Services Department FMoHSW; Mrs. Mrs. Olufowobi-Yusuf Adeola mni affirmed that the TWG meeting symbolised the commencement of coordinated technical engagement under the National Policy on Cosmetics Safety and Health, adding, it provided a platform to align expertise, expectations, and priority actions for effective implementation.
In his remarks, Dr. Paul Okhakhu, Chairman of the Technical Working Group and Director/Head of the Cosmetics Safety Management Programme, said the absence of a coordinated policy in the past had enabled the proliferation of substandard and unsafe cosmetic products.
“Improperly formulated cosmetics can disrupt the endocrine system, damage the kidneys and even affect unborn children,” he asserted. “This policy and the Technical Working Group were established to align Nigeria with global best practices and provide clear guidance for producers, regulators and consumers.”
Dr. Okhakhu added that between 2026 and 2030, Nigerians should expect stronger regulation, improved labelling, increased public awareness and safer cosmetic products that no longer pose long-term health risks.
Delivering a goodwill message, the World Health Organization (WHO), represented by Dr. Edwin Isotu Edeh, described the policy as “pro-health, pro-industry and pro-Africa,” warning that unregulated cosmetic production particularly at informal levels, can silently compromise the health of both present and future generations.
On enforcement, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said the cosmetics safety policy has already entered its implementation phase. In a goodwill message, Prince Ikenna Usofor, Director in charge of Imported and Locally Manufactured Cosmetics, stressed that no cosmetic product, whether imported or locally produced, would be allowed into the Nigerian market without regulatory clearance.
Usofor explained that poorly formulated cosmetics often expose users to toxic substances such as mercury, lead and excessive fluoride, which can accumulate in the body over time, leading to kidney failure, hormonal imbalance and other systemic health conditions.
“This policy must not become one of those documents left on the shelf. For NAFDAC, implementation has already begun. Every cosmetic product in circulation must meet safety standards,” he said.
Addressing cosmetic safety as a national public health priority, the Country Representative of Resolve to Save Lives, Nanlop Ogbureke, described the National Policy on Cosmetics Safety and Health as a landmark achievement that fills a long-standing regulatory gap.
“The need for this governance structure cannot be overemphasised. Cosmetics safety sits at the intersection of public health, consumer protection and economic development,” the organisation said.
Resolve to Save Lives noted that the policy not only protects Nigerians from harmful products but also strengthens the cosmetics value chain by promoting quality, innovation and compliance with global standards. The organisation added that Nigeria’s approach could serve as a model for other African countries facing similar challenges.
“We are proud to support the Federal Government as it moves from policy formulation to implementation. This Technical Working Group lays the foundation for sustained impact in cosmetics safety,” the organisation stated, reaffirming its commitment to provide continued technical support.
The Technical Working Group draws membership from key ministries, including Health, Environment, Industry, Trade and Investment, regulatory agencies such as NAFDAC, law enforcement bodies, academia from universities across the country, and development partners including WHO and Resolve to Save Lives.
With the inauguration of the NCSM-TWG, the Federal Government says Nigeria is now better positioned to halt the circulation of harmful cosmetic products and protect public health through coordinated, evidence-based regulation.
Signed
Alaba Balogun
Director, Information & Public Relations
27 January 2026
